A few days ago we were awaken by an argument on La Movida, 1490AM. Jose Ayala, its producer had Councilor and mayoral candidate Modesto Maldonado as a guest and they were discussing the proposal Councilor Marc Laplante will present before the Council for discussion. Laplante’s proposal is to give beggars in Lawrence a sort of ID or permit that they will have to request from the city in order to continue doing “business” in Lawrence.
Councilor Maldonado, in expressing his opinion said that he will support the measure, even when he didn’t like the idea, but considering that we don’t know who these people are, the right thing to do was identify them.
A reason behind the idea is that we cannot prohibit them from begging in our city. “That will be violating their rights”, said Maldonado. That is true and since we are a country of laws we are against any type of violation to the Constitution including that of begging.
Still, we wonder. In our driving around the Valley, we haven’t notice any beggars in neighboring Andover, North Andover, Methuen, even Haverhill. Don’t these beggars know that Lawrence is a poor city? At least that is what everybody says, and that they could do better going to beg where the money is?
Or perhaps, the rights of those beggars are being violated in those cities and nobody is protesting? Where are the banners? Where are the drums? Are we missing an opportunity to put up a fight for those who have nobody to fight for them? That is not being an American!
But don’t put the cart before the horses. This is only a proposal. According to Councilor Modesto Maldonado, Councilor Marc Laplante will bring up his proposal for discussion before the City Council. Let’s hope in their wisdom, they will decide what is best for the city.
